unnatural language

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unnatural language" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe language that is not typical, artificial, or lacks natural flow. An example could be: "The dialogue in the script felt like an unnatural language, making it hard to connect with the characters." Alternative expressions include "artificial language" and "contrived language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"You end up constantly saying things like, 'That's not an appropriate behavior,' using this unnatural language," said Ms. Popczynski.

The New York Times

We inhabit a post-pastoral terrain, full of modification and compromise, and for this reason my glossaries began to fill up with "unnatural" language: terms from coastal sea defences (pillbox, bulwark, rock-armour), or soft estate, the Highways Agency term for those natural habitats that have developed along the verges of motorways and trunk roads.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

That seems an unnatural place for language, but a second language always retains its brilliant, opiate character, especially if you are a poet whose every perception and process is articulated through it: voluptuousness, thick glass, poppies, opiates.

The Guardian

And from here it's a short step to seeing this type of language as unnatural: the unwelcome entry of officialdom into the private world too much red tape and political correctness gone mad".

Huffington Post

The use of language always appears abnormal, unnatural..

The New Yorker

The use of language always appears abnormal, unnatural...

The New Yorker

Since the romantic ideas she references in her comics aren't used in Thai, they sound unnatural and forced in the language, like nothing anyone would ever say.

Vice

In Belgium, the most popular gameshow is the bizarre, Dutch-language Blokken, an unnatural splicing of general-knowledge quiz and competitive Tetris-playing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As the novel steams to its terminus, there is more than a little deus ex machina (in screenplay language, the term implies an unnatural, contrived ending).

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

"The phrase — unnatural, forced and heretofore unused in the English language — suggests something confined to boudoirs or bathrooms," wrote the columnist, Karen Heller.

The New York Times - Arts

I don't think people even realized what they were saying, and although some tried to shift their language, it was obviously awkward and unnatural.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase to describe technical jargon that obscures meaning rather than clarifying it in everyday conversation.

Common error

Do not use "unnatural language" as a synonym for 'incorrect grammar'. A sentence can be perfectly grammatical yet still feel like "unnatural language" if it is contextually inappropriate or overly rigid.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unnatural language" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'unnatural' modifies the noun 'language'. According to Ludwig, it is primarily used to qualify the quality or authenticity of communication rather than its grammatical validity. It serves as a critical descriptor in both literary and social contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unnatural language" is a powerful tool for describing communication that feels inauthentic, forced or clinical. Ludwig data shows that it is frequently used by top-tier publications to critique dialogue that lacks a natural human rhythm, such as when professionals use technical terms in casual settings or when translated text fails to sound native. While the phrase is grammatically correct and recognized by Ludwig AI, writers should remember it specifically targets the tonality and flow of speech rather than its technical correctness. Using alternatives like "stilted language" or "contrived phrasing" can provide even more specificity depending on whether the stiffness is unintentional or deliberate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

artificial language

Refers to constructed systems or speech that lacks spontaneous human characteristics

stilted language

Emphasizes stiffness and a lack of grace or natural flow

contrived language

Suggests that the wording is deliberately manufactured rather than occurring naturally

forced language

Implies the speaker is putting in too much effort, resulting in a lack of spontaneity

clunky language

A more informal term for phrasing that is awkward and difficult to process

formalistic language

Focuses on an over-reliance on rigid forms and technical rules

robotic language

Suggests a lack of emotion, inflection or human-like variation

clinical language

Specifies language that is overly technical or detached from human emotion

awkward phrasing

Focuses on the specific structure of sentences rather than the broader language style

non-native sounding language

Specifically used in the context of second-language acquisition and translation

FAQs

What does "unnatural language" mean in literature?

In literature, it refers to dialogue or prose that doesn't mirror how people actually speak. You might also describe this as "stilted dialogue" if the characters sound too formal or stiff.

Is "unnatural language" the same as a constructed language?

Not exactly. While a constructed language is an "artificial language", "unnatural language" usually describes a native speaker's awkward or overly clinical use of their own tongue.

How can I use "unnatural language" in a sentence?

You can say: "The therapist found herself using this unnatural language at home, treating her children like patients."

What is the difference between "unnatural language" and "forced phrasing"?

"Unnatural language" refers to the broader style or register of the speech, whereas "forced phrasing" typically points to specific sentences that feel laboured or deliberate.